Cheryl Trader is the 2007 Excellence Award winner. The honor was given to the individual who exemplifies teamwork, respect for people, service to others, outstanding customer service and dedication to quality. This year’s recipient was nominated by co-workers, who described this individual as being kind; friendly & helpful; patient & reliable; efficient & conscientious; flexible; competent in all work duties; able to multi-task and one who contributes fresh ideas to improve quality. Her pleasing tone of voice never changes. And although she often could, she never says anything negative about anyone else. This individual: volunteered at the new CRH open house; has been on the CRH Safety Committee for 9 years; is a Compliance Billing Team member; participated on performance improvement teams; helped move the department into a new building; assisted in coordinating a department open house; volunteers at her church & coordinates & participates in the annual MS Walk.

Cheryl was born in Aroostook County. She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School & Northern Maine Community College, where she studied business. She worked for 5 years at Aroostook Home Care in Caribou as a bookkeeper and patient accounts clerk. When her husband’s career moved them to Calais, Cheryl worked 5 years as an Administrative Assistant with the Burger King Corporation. For the next 5 years she was Office Manager for family planning & maternal & child health programs in the Calais office of Downeast Health Services.

Nine years ago she joined CRH as secretary in our newly opened Home Health Department. Later, when Home Health began independently managing, Cheryl was promoted to the position of Business Coordinator. In this position Cheryl is responsible for business support, secretarial and clerical services.She also coordinates Lifeline installations & ongoing Lifeline services to clients.

Cheryl has a life outside the Hospital. Her family includes her husband of decades, Richard, & their two children who both graduated from Calais High School. Daughter Tammy, 24 is an Emergency Department Registered Nurse living in Bangor. Son Stephen, 27, is a computer systems analyst in Florida. He is engaged & will be married this summer. Cheryl’s siblings include several brothers and sisters.

Cheryl has worked for three Home Health directors; Beth Olsson, Jan Wakin & current director, Dolly Newcomb. Cheryl’s directors had a thing or two to say about her. They described her as "the person who has all the qualities you look for when hiring someone." If that isn’t enough, they shared that Cheryl is: well organized, always professional and eager to accomplish tasks she is responsible for. She is a true team worker who works well with all staff. Cheryl is willing to share knowledge, is highly motivated, succeeds in anything she attempts, has the ability to function under multiple priorities and has strong communication skills.

Cheryl has excellent customer skills. When a customer has a concern, she does her best to resolve the issue as soon as possible, and with a smile. Numerous compliments received from customers have been attributed to Cheryl.